History of the Zulu War

Name: History of the Zulu War
Author: Wilmot, Alexander

Wilmot, Alexander

Zulu War, 1879; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- To 1879

We must now advert to the career of the most distinguished
volunteer of the war, a prince who owned the most conspicuous
dynastic name of the time—Napoleon Louis Bonaparte, Prince Imperial
of France. Born in the purple and brought up amidst the greatest
magnificence, the misfortunes of France became his own, and as an
exile in England he studied at the Military College of Woolwich,
where his success far surpassed even the sanguine expectations of
his friends. The war in South Africa seemed to offer a sphere in
which the heir of conquerors could learn to conquer. As a soldier,
the prince earnestly desired to attain practical knowledge of his
profession; as a Napoleon, he thirsted to distinguish himself by
taking the sword each of his family had experienced to be the Key
of Empire. Great Britain was the refuge of his family, and among
the soldiers of Great Britain he felt at home. On the 27th of
February, 1879, Prince Louis Napoleon received the sacrament of
the Catholic Church before the Emperor's tomb at Chiselhurst, and
then embarked in the steamer _Danube_ for the theatre of war. His
determination to go to Zululand was absolutely his own act, and
his brave mother had to yield to his judgment what her own heart
opposed. The prince was singularly calculated to win the affection
of all. Pure, wise, and Christian, he had declared, "If I am
restored to the throne of my father, I will have none near me whose
truth, honour, and morality are not above suspicion." As free from
affectation as possible, he was gay, simple, affable, and so full
of kindliness as to draw to him the hearts of all with whom he came
in contact. On the voyage out he mixed with the passengers as one
of them, joined in their games, and made himself beloved as much by
the charm of his manner as the goodness of his nature.[39] Arrived
at Cape Town, the prince became the guest of Lady Frere, the
Governor being absent in Natal. He only remained there a few days,
during the stay of the _Danube_, and went on in that steamer to
Natal. The prince had received permission from the authorities to
accompany the staff of the British army, and the Duke of Cambridge
had written letters on this subject to Lord Chelmsford and to Sir
Bartle Frere.

[Sidenote: _The prince in action._]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History of the Zulu WarWilmot, Alexander

History

History of the Zulu War

Wilmot, Alexander

Zulu War, 1879; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- To 1879

We must now advert to the career of the most distinguished
volunteer of the war, a prince who owned the most conspicuous
dynastic name of the time—Napoleon Louis Bonaparte, Prince Imperial
of France. Born in the purple and brought up amidst the greatest
magnificence, the misfortunes of France became his own, and as an
exile in England he studied at the Military College of Woolwich,
where his success far surpassed even the sanguine expectations of
his friends. The war in South Africa seemed to offer a sphere in
which the heir of conquerors could learn to conquer. As a soldier,
the prince earnestly desired to attain practical knowledge of his
profession; as a Napoleon, he thirsted to distinguish himself by
taking the sword each of his family had experienced to be the Key
of Empire. Great Britain was the refuge of his family, and among
the soldiers of Great Britain he felt at home. On the 27th of
February, 1879, Prince Louis Napoleon received the sacrament of
the Catholic Church before the Emperor's tomb at Chiselhurst, and
then embarked in the steamer _Danube_ for the theatre of war. His
determination to go to Zululand was absolutely his own act, and
his brave mother had to yield to his judgment what her own heart
opposed. The prince was singularly calculated to win the affection
of all. Pure, wise, and Christian, he had declared, "If I am
restored to the throne of my father, I will have none near me whose
truth, honour, and morality are not above suspicion." As free from
affectation as possible, he was gay, simple, affable, and so full
of kindliness as to draw to him the hearts of all with whom he came
in contact. On the voyage out he mixed with the passengers as one
of them, joined in their games, and made himself beloved as much by
the charm of his manner as the goodness of his nature.[39] Arrived
at Cape Town, the prince became the guest of Lady Frere, the
Governor being absent in Natal. He only remained there a few days,
during the stay of the _Danube_, and went on in that steamer to
Natal. The prince had received permission from the authorities to
accompany the staff of the British army, and the Duke of Cambridge
had written letters on this subject to Lord Chelmsford and to Sir
Bartle Frere.

[Sidenote: _The prince in action._]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

History of the Zulu War

History of the Zulu War

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